Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life–in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. Philippians 2:14-16 (NIV)

Work To Do

I have given you work to do for me in this world. I have a purpose and plan for your life. I have called you to go and do my will. I want you to be my bright and bold witness in the world. I want you to shine like a star in the universe. This comes as welcome news to me. I want to know and do your will. I want to be able to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. I want to be a bold and bright witness for you in the world. I want to shine like a star in the universe so that others will be drawn to you through my life. That is very good.

What might hinder me from being a bold and bright witness for you in the world? That is a very good question. I am glad that you asked it. However, I do think that you know the answer to this question.I will listen to what you can say to me in answer to your own question. I must confess that I have been a complainer and an arguer. I have complained about the difficulty of life and the work you have given me to do for you. I have argued with you about your purposes and plans for my life. I have said that the work was too difficult and that I am unable, unqualified and unprepared to do what you have asked me to do for you. That’s not good. I know. Why is it not good that you have been a complainer and arguer? Complaining and arguing are the ways of the world. Complaining and arguing is standard practice in the world. If I let myself be a complainer and an arguer then there will be no way that I will be able to shine as a bold and bright witness for you in the world. No, you will not. What else? If I continue to complain and argue I will never accomplish the purposes and plans you have for my life. Why is that? What you ask of me will require faith. For me to be able to do what you ask of me I will need to come to rely on you. If I come to you to complain and argue, my faith will not grow. If I continue to complain and argue, I will never rely on you to go and do what you ask of me. That’s true. So, I will stop complaining and arguing. I will place all my faith in you. I will come to rely on you. I will allow you to use me to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans so that my labor will never be in vain. That will be very good.

Lord, I want to be a bold, bright, pure, and vibrant witness for you in the world. Help me to do what you have given me to do without complaining or arguing. Help me also, to be holding out your word of life to others in the world so they can come to know you. Amen

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